Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation is Now ImmaCare Inc.

Last week, Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation announced the agency has changed its name to ImmaCare Inc. The name change is part of a rebranding of the organization, which was approved by the Board of Directors following their 2014 strategic planning process. The rebranding of Immaculate as ImmaCare also includes new mission and vision statements, as well as the shelter's eventual relocation.

The name cements ImmaCare's status in the community as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, yet pays homage to the agency's roots in the Catholic Church. "Another benefit of the new name is that clients will no longer be associated with a 'shelter' and the negative stereotypes the word conjures up," said Executive Director Louis Gilbert. "The new name focuses on an organization grounded in 'caring,' which we felt was far less stigmatizing to our clients."

Although Immaculate's rebranding brings many changes to the agency, a few select details remain unchanged as an acknowledgement of the organization's more than three decades of service. "Imma" is derived from Immaculate and the capitalized "I" and "C" produces the same "IC" acronym that stood for Immaculate Conception. ImmaCare's logo (which represents the diversity of support and approaches employed by ImmaCare to end homelessness) will also remain.

As ImmaCare Inc. continues to grow, the organization moves forward in adherence to its new mission statement: ImmaCare Inc. strives to eliminate homelessness in the Hartford region, while building a more vibrant community, by creating safe and affordable housing options and increasing the skills, income and hope of those who struggle with housing crisis.

Throughout the many changes associated with the rebranding process, the life-saving services the agency has been providing since 1981 continue. Together with the Board of Directors, ImmaCare staff seeks ways to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness, especially during what is one of the most brutally cold winters in Connecticut history. Year-round, the agency provides services to 75 men each evening; this winter, the organization increased capacity to serve 150 men. "For the first time, we were able to leverage funding and remain open during the day every day from November 24- March 31, 2015, providing lunch and a warm, safe place to stay during the severe cold," Gilbert added.

In addition, ImmaCare has taken a key role in Greater Hartford Continuum of Care's efforts to end homelessness. The new system, Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network (CAN), brings together resources of stakeholders to address housing crises without shelter referrals. ImmaCare's role includes: working with clients referred by 2-1-1 to access resources; triaging men in housing crisis for placement in a shelter with services; and offering case management hours to individuals in housing crisis two days a week.

About ImmaCare Inc.Improving lives since 1981, ImmaCare Inc. (formerly Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation) has been providing life-saving resources to thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or facing housing crisis. ImmaCare focuses on those most vulnerable to life on the streets of Hartford, including people with debilitating diseases and those with severe substance abuse problems and mental health issues.

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